This halachic ruling by Rabbeinu Tam applies even when the court that wishes to annul is a greater court than the court that issued the initial ruling. The Mordechai agrees with Rabbeinu Tam.
Therefore, there is no halachic validity or precedent for retroactively revoking conversions. Annulling conversions has no basis in halacha and is causing needless suffering and anguish to hundreds of righteous converts.
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The Mishnah in Avot (Chapter 1: Mishnah 11) states, “Rabbis, be extremely careful with your words and actions… lest they lead to the desecration of God’s Name.” We would be wise to heed that sage advice.
Rabbi Ephraim Sprecher is dean of students at the Diaspora Yeshiva in Jerusalem.
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